Report: Browns wanted 2nd-round pick and more for Gordon

Cleveland was asking for a second-round pick and more in exchange for Gordon’s services when teams around the league recently reached out, reports Mike Garafolo of NFL Network.

Garafolo added that virtually every player on the Browns’ rebuilding roster can be considered available if the compensation is deemed acceptable, and that he doesn’t envision the team moving Gordon ahead of the 2016 season.

The new regime’s willingness to move players for future picks was made evident with Thursday’s trade that sent Barkevious Mingo to the New England Patriots for a fifth-round selection in 2017.

While Gordon showed flashes of dominant ability as a sophomore player back in 2013, and it’s possible he’ll regain that level of play this fall, the risk involved would almost certainly have teams balking at that asking price.

Gordon is only now returning from a year-long suspension for his third violation of the NFL’s substance abuse policy, and a condition for his reinstatement was serving another four games to start the 2016 campaign.

Barring a significant change to the reported asking price, or a desperate team stepping up to meet Cleveland’s demands, all indications are that Gordon will stay put this season.

He’ll be a key contributor on a suddenly intriguing Browns offense upon making his return to the lineup in Week 5, joining first-round pick Corey Coleman and converted quarterback Terrelle Pryor as Robert Griffin III‘s top targets.

The Browns will also have a clear path to keeping Gordon under contract in 2017, as past suspensions affecting his service time will reportedly have him limited to restricted free agency when his contract expires in March.